Course Entrance Requirements: Candidates must be at least 16 years of age or over.

Course Outline: This coaching award is attendance based and will consist of theoretical and practical sessions. The award is at an introductory level and is designed to provide coaches with information and practical examples of how best to coach players with disabilities. There is no pre-requisite for this course although it is designed for coaches, teachers and volunteers already working or intending to work with disabled footballers.

Once booked on to the CDFA Level 1 course, you will have the opportunity to complete the online 'Irish FA Safeguarding Young Children in Sport' modules, which are included as part of your course fee.

The disabled groups in focus are learning disability, physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments. Course content includes disability awareness, safety considerations, communication, session planning, adapting sessions and practical working with players with disability.

Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for an indoor practical session. Candidates should also bring writing materials.

The course is four hours in duration involving 3 hours of task related theory and one hour of practical coaching. Participants will receive a certificate and coaching resources on completion.

Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for a practical session.  Candidates should also bring a pen, notepad, a drink and a snack. 

Irish FA’s Coaching Disabled Footballers Award Level 2

Course Entrance Requirements: Candidates must be at least 16 years of age. Candidates should have also completed the Irish FA Level 1 Coaching Disabled Footballers Award AND the Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (formerly Level 1) before applying for this course.

Course Outline: This coaching award is aimed at coaches already working with or intending to work with players with a disability. This course is a mixture of theoretical modules and practical sessions where candidates will gain experience working with players with various disabilities.

The course looks at adapting coaching techniques when working with players with a learning disability, physical disability or sensory impairment. There is also a module on the benefits of fundamental and movement skill training for the various disability groups.

This is a detailed course that also takes into consideration the playing, competitive and representative opportunities for players with various impairments and how rules are adapted for the benefit of the games in each disability group.

The course is fifteen hours in length; however, participants will be required to work for an additional ten hours with disabled players upon completion of the course. A log book of session plans, considerations and evaluation will have to be submitted and assessed before certification. Guidance for completion of this part of the course will be given by course tutors. Participants receive a certificate and coaching resources on completion.

Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor and outdoor practical sessions. Candidates should also bring writing materials.

The Irish FA's Introduction to Futsal is an attendance-based course that has been designed to give participants an overview of what Futsal is, how it is played and the benefits of running Futsal programmes.

The course is 3 hours in duration, with both theoretical and practical content and is aimed at the likes of grassroots football coaches, volunteers, parents and teachers who may have an interest in starting up Futsal Coaching sessions.

Participants who complete the course will be presented with an Irish FA Introduction to Futsal Certificate and Resource Booklet. Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor practical sessions as well as writing materials for the theoretical element.

The Irish FA's Futsal National Coaching Certificate is a three-day course and an important step in progressing the game of Futsal in Northern Ireland.

The course aims to:

- Raise and develop candidates’ knowledge and awareness of the game

- Provide a greater understanding of their role as a Coach and how this can help in continuing to grow Futsal in Northern Ireland

- Enhance Coaches knowledge of Futsal specific techniques and how to coach them

- Develop Coaches ability to plan, organise, deliver & reflect upon appropriate Futsal sessions.

The curriculum covers both theoretical and practical content and includes Technical and Tactical Instruction, Set Pieces, Goalkeeping and Laws of the Game modules.

Candidates will be assessed on topics covered on the curriculum and will also be required to complete online modules as part of the Award. Candidates should bring appropriate clothing and footwear for indoor practical sessions as well as writing materials for the theoretical element.

Those completing the course will be presented with the Irish FA Futsal National Coaching Certificate and receive a Futsal Coaching Resource to aid them in continuing to provide Futsal opportunities to players.

Course Entrance Requirements

Anyone over 14 years of age may apply.

Course Outline

The Irish FA's Introduction to Grassroots Football Award is designed to provide an overview of football in Northern Ireland. This e-learning module (online only) provides candidates with best practice guidelines when working in a club setting. It is specifically designed for aspiring coaches, volunteers, grassroots leaders, school teachers, parents and guardians working in the area of grassroots football.

Participants who complete the course will be awarded a certificate which will be available to download from the platform.

The Irish FA Grassroots Introduction to Goalkeeping Course is for coaches, parents and volunteers working with young goalkeepers up to around 10-12 years of age. The course introduces the Irish FA long term goalkeeper development plan, and will include practical demonstrations of practices which will allow the goalkeepers to learn, develop, and importantly have fun while being goalkeepers. There are no pre-requisites to apply for this course which will run for 3 hours on one day. This course is attendance based with no pre or post course assignments or assessments, with the overall aim of providing ideas for fun and effective goalkeeping practices.

Candidates should be at least 14 years of age on the first day of the course.

Please note only candidates based in Northern Ireland are eligible for this course.

The Irish FA Goalkeeping NCC is for beginner goalkeeper coaches working with beginner goalkeepers of around 10-15 years of age. The course covers a range of basic goalkeeping skills and techniques, and will teach coaches how to design and implement effective goalkeeping practices. The coaches will also be introduced to the new Irish FA goalkeeping coach framework, which details not just what to coach, but importantly how to coach. There are no pre-requisites to apply for this course which will run over three days. Coaches will be set post course assignments as well as having a final club based practical assessment.

Candidates should be at least 16 years old on the first day of the course.

Please note only candidates based in Northern Ireland are eligible for this course.

The Irish FA Goalkeeping C Diploma will build on the Goalkeeping NCC diploma and is for goalkeeper coaches working with youth and adult goalkeepers.

The course covers more advanced goalkeeping practices and will provide the coaches with a higher level of understanding of goalkeeping, as well as the game.

The pre-requisites to apply for this course is completion of the Irish FA Goalkeeping NCC diploma.

Coaches will be set post course assignments as well as having a final club based practical assessment.

The UEFA Goalkeeper B Diploma offers course participants a clear understanding of how to develop young goalkeepers and coach adult goalkeepers in either the amateur or elite game

No course available in 2024  

The UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma is designed for advanced Goalkeeper Coaches working with elite youth and adult Goalkeepers, preparing the coach to work as an integrated member of a high-performance team.

2024 Course is fully booked  

Coaches who do NOT reside in Northern Ireland are NOT eligible for this course.

Course Entry Requirements

You must be 16 years of age to apply.

The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate prepares coaches to organise, plan, deliver and reflect on practical coaching sessions for players at Grassroots level.

Course Objectives

The National Coaching Certificate is designed to give coaches:

- A greater understanding of their role as a Coach and the impact it can have on the development of Grassroots Football;

- A specific knowledge around the development of players at all ages within Grassroots Football;

- Develop coaches ability to plan, organise, deliver & reflect upon appropriate coaching sessions.

The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate Courses may be tailored to look at catering for the specific needs and requirements of Youth, Adult and/or Female players.

Irish FA National Coaching Certificate (NCC) Course

Coaches who do NOT reside in Northern Ireland are NOT eligible for this course.

Course Entry Requirements:

Anyone over 16 years of age may apply.

 The Irish FA National Coaching Certificate prepares coaches working with Adult players to plan, organise, deliver and reflect on practical coaching sessions for those involved in the Amateur game.

Course Objectives

The National Coaching Certificate (Adult) is designed to give coaches:

- A greater understanding of their role as a Coach and the impact it can have on the development of Amateur Football;

- A specific knowledge around the development of Adult players and those involved in the Amateur Game;

- Develop coaches ability to plan, organise, deliver & reflect upon appropriate coaching sessions.

 UEFA C DIPLOMA

Please note: Only candidates based in Northern Ireland are eligible for the UEFA C Diploma REGIONAL Courses.

International candidates (i.e. a candidate from outside of Northern Ireland) are only eligible to apply for the course held at the Crowne Plaza. This course has higher facility costs and provides catering daily which is why it is more expensive than the Regional UEFA C Diploma Course.

The course content is the same for both International and Regional courses.

 COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 • Candidates must be at least 18 years of age on the first day of the course

 • Successful completion of Irish FA’s National Coaching Certificate or Irish FA Level One within the previous six years (only applicable for candidates from Northern Ireland)

 • Any coach from outside of Northern Ireland must have a valid coaching qualification equivalent or higher than the Irish FA NCC

 • The Irish FA advise that candidates are actively coaching at a football club, as the focus of the course is based on player development

 • The course will be delivered in English, therefore candidates are required to have a good command of written and spoken English

 The Irish FA reserves the right to use the following criteria should there be higher demand for places than we can accommodate:

 • The candidate is based or was born in Northern Ireland

 • The candidate is actively coaching

 • We may ask for candidates to submit a CV.

COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of six months should have elapsed between successful completion of the UEFA C Diploma and enrolment for the UEFA B Diploma

• Hold a valid UEFA / Irish FA C Diploma (no equivalencies accepted)

• Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an internship at U12s or above

• The course will be delivered in English, and candidates are required to have a good command of spoken and written English

• Priority is given to coaches that have completed their C Diploma through the Irish Football Association

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The focus of this course is preparing players and teams for youth, amateur and adult league teams’ below senior level.

COURSE OUTLINE & REQUIREMENTS 

Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops.

Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).

Candidates are expected to participate in practical pitch sessions throughout the course as part of staff demonstration and peer coaching sessions. However, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.

All online tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform

COMPLETION 

Candidates have a maximum of three years to successfully complete all practical work and all coursework from the date they commence the course.

All candidates who successfully complete the course will receive an UEFA B Diploma.

When successfully completing all practical and theoretical elements of the UEFA B Diploma, candidates who have one year’s coaching experience may apply for the UEFA A Diploma but are not guaranteed a place on the course as selection for this course is based on specific criteria.

 CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

The UEFA B Licence is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 'credits' of CPD in order to re-validate the diploma for a further three-year period. However, the above is not required if the coach enrols on the UEFA A Diploma within this period.

The course provides a clear understanding of how to develop and coach potentially talented young players transitioning from grassroots or amateur level to elite level, just before and during their period of biological growth and maturation.

COURSE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Hold a valid UEFA B Diploma (no equivalencies accepted)

• A minimum of one year’s coaching experience should have elapsed between successful completion of the UEFA B Diploma and enrolment on the UEFA A Diploma

• Candidates must currently be working or have evidence of an internship at U16s or above to be considered

• The course will be delivered in English, and candidates are required to have a good command of spoken and written English

• Priority is given to coaches that have completed their UEFA B Diploma through the Irish Football Association

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The UEFA A Diploma is an advanced Coaching Award and the focus of this course is on preparing players and teams for professional and semi-professional Leagues or top amateur Leagues.

COURSE OUTLINE & REQUIREMENTS

The course will include practical days (2 x residential Blocks) and online theoretical aspects. The course theory will be split between face-to-face workshops and distance learning workshops.

Full attendance of the course is required. This includes all practical days and online workshops.

Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be permitted time off the course. (This time must be made up at a later date).

Candidates are expected to participate in practical pitch sessions throughout the course as part of staff demonstration and peer coaching sessions. However, exceptions can be made due to illness or injury.

All online tasks are to be completed and submitted via the Irish FA’s Online Education Platform

COMPLETION 

Candidates have a maximum of three years to successfully complete all elements of the course from the date they commence the course.

When successfully completing all practical and theoretical elements of the course, the candidate will receive an UEFA A Diploma.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

The UEFA A Diploma is valid for three years, during which period the coach must complete a minimum of 15 'credits' of Continuous Professional Development in order to re-validate the Licence for a further three-year period.

However, the above is not required if the coach enrols on the UEFA Pro Diploma within this period.

Applications open for Irish FA | UEFA Pro Diploma Course 2025/2026

Closing date for applications: Fri 27 September 2024 (17:00pm)

Essential Criteria for application:

1. Applicants must hold a valid UEFA A Licence. (no equivalencies accepted)

2. Applicants must have completed at least one year’s coaching experience, after graduating with the UEFA A licence (obtained their UEFA A Licence with a min of 1 year before the application closing date ~ 27/09/24)

3. Applicants must be working as either:

a. Manager at Professional or Semi Professional Club

b. Assistant Coach at Professional Club

c. Manager at Elite Youth (min U18 or above at Full Time Professional Club)

d. Manager at Senior Amateur level

4. Applicants must also possess sufficient spoken and written skills in the official course language, which is English

* As the UEFA Pro Diploma Course is ‘invitational’; the Irish FA reserves the right to prioritise those that have gained their UEFA A Licence through the Irish FA; be resident in N. Ireland; have been born in N. Ireland; have N. Irish heritage or have played at International Level

Course Fees and payment details

Course fee:  £8500.00

(Can be paid over 2 x instalments)

First instalment: £4250.00

(to be paid on acceptance onto the course)

Second instalment: £4250.00

(to be paid by March 2026)

Please ensure you read over the information carefully sent to you by the Irish FA (including criteria, provisional schedule, attendance requirements etc) prior to paying the £50 application fee and proceeding with your application

Please answer all the mandatory questions and upload a PDF copy of your CV

For further details and link to apply, please email lorna.stewart@irishfa.com

 Course Entry Requirements

Anyone over 16 years of age may apply.

Course Outline

The aim of the Irish FA's Fitness for Football module is to provide volunteers / coaches with a greater understanding of how to implement fundamental movement skills and strength & conditioning into coaching sessions for players involved in grassroots football.

The course is 3 hours in duration, with both theoretical and practical content. Participants who complete the course will be presented with an Irish FA Fitness for Football Certificate.

This programme is part of UEFA's ongoing drive to work closely with national associations at grassroots level to provide more opportunities for girls to fall in love with football. This exciting collaboration with Disney is designed to inspire five to eight-year-old girls who have never played football before to experience the game for the first time.

CPD (Continuous Professional Development)

UEFA Requirements:

The validity of an UEFA coaching licence is subject to the licence holder adhering to the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of UEFA and the convention party that issued the licence in question. A UEFA coaching licence is valid for three calendar years, until no later than 31st December, three years after the first issue.

(e.g. If a UEFA Certificate awarded was August 2020. 15 CPD credits must be accumulated by 31st December 2023).

The qualification can be renewed for a further three years if its holder has completed and provided evidence of further education. A minimum of 15 CPD credits must be accumulated every three years in order to maintain a UEFA licence.

In Club Development Planning and Fundraising, participants will look at why your club should have a club development plan, recognise the simple steps to creating a plan, being aware of how the club development plan should be used and who should be involved.

In Developing Club Culture, participants will establish what culture is through looking at different theories, how it will look in a club setting, ways to think about implementing cultural change and the steps to take to implement cultural change.

In Supporting Your Clubs Volunteers, participants will learn how to plan the club’s recruitment process, find development and learning opportunities for yourself and other club members, retain and recognise other club member’s hard work and look after your colleague’s well-being and avoid burnout.

In Chairperson Training, participants will learn the role of a chairperson in a football club, how to prepare for being a chairperson, managing meetings appropriately, recruiting and supporting the next chairperson in your club and planning and delivering an effective Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In Positive Engagement with Parents, participants will explore what parental engagement is, issues and challenges that parents may face, how to create an environment where parental engagement can thrive and roles that a club and coaches can play to help parents. On completion of this module, 5 CPD points will be awarded to Irish FA C / UEFA C Licenced and UEFA B Licenced coaches. (UEFA A and UEFA Pro is excluded).

In How to Attract and Keep Members, participants will look at membership trends and use these to understand club attendees, retaining club members by exploring ways to improve the club and recognise changes in members’ behaviours and learn what you can do to support them.

In Treasurer Training, participants will learn the role of a treasurer in a football club, how to prepare for being a treasurer, key responsibilities, what you should and should not expect in your role as treasurer at the club and delivering effective support at meetings and considering appropriate planning and succession in your role.

In Secretary Training, participants will learn the role of a secretary in a football club, how to prepare for being a secretary, key responsibilities, what you should and should not expect in your role as secretary at the club, delivering effective support at meetings and considering appropriate planning and succession in your role.

The Irish FA works in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) to protect the integrity of football in Northern Ireland.

UKAD ensures all sports bodies in the UK comply with the World Anti-Doping Code – as set out by WADA.

The Irish FA follows and applies UKAD's anti-doping rules that all players and player support personnel must abide by.

All players have the right to compete in football knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean and this course gives players (and player support personnel) the education around Anti-Doping rules, checking medications and supplements, Therapeutic Use Exemption, testing protocol and strict liability.